Voter Guide for State Candidates and Propositions
This is a progressive voter guide that is put out by a voter in Los Angeles. I have edited it to remove the LA County and LA City sections. The state information remains. I have found it useful.
GENERAL ELECTION 2026
We are ready to be heard. LONG PAST ready. We have watched authoritarianism invade so many parts of our government in the last 18 months, and so many folks all over the world are suffering and dying under our watch. AND we can’t get him and the sycophants around him out. YET. So, let’s be clear on that, and move on to what we CAN do.
SO MUCH, actually. And boy, are there exciting races we can win all over the place.
Many of us are involved across the country in deeper ways than ever before, as winning both the House and Senate BIG are actually not just totally possible, but existentially necessary. And there are key state legislative and Governors races everywhere that are also winnable this year (the more damage the evil ones and their minions do, the more opportunities exist to get his people out of office). And how about our eyes on those elected officials that administer the elections?
Our brothers and sisters around the country are on track for extraordinary wins in unlikely places.
Here in bright blue California, there’s often more nuance to how folks get screwed or protected by the government. Some official might be a leader in education and completely turning their cheek on environmental regulations. Or you’ve really been disappointed by someone in some way, but now have forgotten all the ways they are effective leaders. Or you just don’t know much about the candidates, so are voting for change. Hmmmmm…I think that’s how the evil one did so well in 2024 riding the wave of different media platforms where folks get their information…
And the initiatives are always just plain confusing; what an insane way to determine state policy and funding.
But here we are again, and hope this Guide can help when you’re confused or just plain gutted. AND we will surely disagree on some things. That’s truly OK. And democratic.
The crisis of affordability, combined with new fears connected to an ongoing loss of control via human rights and protections, and what the hell will AI bring, are at the core of nearly every race nationally and statewide. And appropriate concerns re: housing, job loss and decent wages, ICE, wars, CARE (health/child/elder), gas and food prices have often left needed activism on reproductive rights, foreign policy, racism, gerrymandering, climate, education, LGBTQ + rights, accountability and government overreach somewhat by the wayside.
We need elected officials who will fight for us, the country, the world. With the primaries behind us, we don’t always have a choice to vote for an activist champion, but we do still have all kinds of fighters and initiatives on our ballot that will make tangible differences with policy, daily lives, budget allocations and all of our futures.
From my Primary Guide: I also believe we must appreciate the enormous challenges that all our elected officials are facing, the lack of commitment or coordination that Democratic leaders and municipalities now have with the Federal government and their budgets, the game of whack a mole these leaders face with so many simultaneous disasters, and the natural sense of powerlessness so many feel. Did I mention the Supreme Court yet?
Or the ongoing disintegration and fracturing of the media as we knew? The loss of local reporting writ large leading to wild confusion on what’s on our ballots, plus ½ of us may not be reading the news to protect our mental health.
And yet. Think of Minnesota. Years of organizing created core preparation, combined with outrage and belief in one another, has shown us what can happen when we stand up. Trump and Republicans’ numbers keep dropping. Each horrific decision he and his administration make create opportunity to break the hold. We are winning.
So, eye on the prize: we need to win A LOT of elections everywhere, victories in 2026 help build towards 2028 and beyond. And we need officials that will win the trust of working class voters, that will deliver. Just a reminder to anyone who decided not to vote last cycle, particularly at the top of the ticket: that didn’t work out so well, did it?
The opportunities for victory nationally (and some are Ind., not Dem) have become even more stunning since I wrote this in June (Just think of realistic potential US Senate “flips” now: TX, ME, AK, NC, MS, IA, OH, NE, MI, FL, SC, and KS. WHAT????) And democracy defense strategies, legal work, trainings and mobilizations are all being coordinated to ensure everyone can vote AND their vote is counted. Yes, there are systems that must be built far better than before, but let’s get a whole bunch of better people elected too.
This is one of many progressive guides you may use, but you must vote your whole ballot, and help get everyone you know to vote. Along with specific recommendations, vote for the Dem incumbent if you don’t see a name for a state legislative, Congressional…or even local seat.
And think beyond your own backyard: the multi racial democracy we want will only happen when all of us are outraged by injustice and inequality, and stand up for one another. Fear must not turn us inward. We will never get out of this mess unless we link arms and move out of the darkness together.
ABOUT YOUR BALLOT BEING COUNTED: with our US Postal service also part of Trump’s world, please get your ballot in the mail no later than a week before November 3, if voting by mail: even better, use a drop box (nearby locations on back of your ballot) OR vote at a voting center. In LA County, go to LAVOTE.GOV for locations.
(LA City and LA County information has been removed here)
STATE
GOVERNOR: Xavier Becerra
Xavier. There’s no chance CA will elect Hilton, but still vote. Becerra’s experience at both the State and Federal levels is notable, and he will be a fighter against ICE in our state, he is trustworthy and reliably liberal. But he’s mostly not a risk taker when he’s in the hot seat. And he’s lousy on climate (fossil fuels egad! really of note given the collapse of even climate interest at the federal nightmare), has detractors from his days as a not particularly effective Health and Human Services cabinet member, and I don’t see him bringing in the kind of activist administration that we must have in this moment in time.
Becerra will need us to be active. To make him accountable. Support him to do the right thing when powerful interests are pushing him in the wrong direction. And hold his feet to the fire. This is a time when every Governor must stand up to the President, and the loss of all sanity on virtually every issue. We must not only expect that of Becerra, but demand it. California must lead.
LT. GOVERNOR: Fiona Ma.
Not a lot to say. She’s our Democratic candidate, but she will need to prove to me that she can take leadership AND fill in some of the gaps with Becerra.
Secretary of State: Dr. Shirley Weber
Controller: Malia Cohen
Treasurer: Eleni Kounalakis
Attorney General: Rob Bonta
Insurance Commissioner: Jane Kim or Ben Allen: 2 good candidates, though I lean to Kim
Member of the Board of Equalization:
· District 1 Nelson Esparza
· District 2 Sally Lieber
· District 3 Samuel P. Sukaton
· District 4 Tom Umberg
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera
OK: I honestly didn’t know this guy AND my San Diego sources (where’s he’s from) say he’s fantastic. This is ALSO a position with limited power, but he’s running against a MAGA Republican, Sonja Shaw, and you’d never know because it’s a non-Partisan race.
THE PROPOSITIONS: I’m so sorry: there are 14 of them. And if you got stuck in the nail salon as I did this week watching all their confusing ads (where the disclaimer showing who’s paying for the ads scrolls by quickly), you would seriously be ready to not vote or vote no on all. But thanks to my retired husband Parke who did the bulk of the work this election to research these initiatives and make them easier to understand, here are the recommendations.
Proposition 1; YES - Borrow $11.25 billion for housing.
Prop. 1 would allow the state to sell $11.25 billion in bonds to fund various affordable housing programs. Of that total amount, $1.25 billion would go toward veteran housing, while the rest would fund rental homes, homeownership programs, farmworker, student, tribal housing and more. The bond is expected to fund up to 40,000 multifamily rental units, while also helping another 40,000 households buy a home.
Endorsed by CDP (CA Dem Party), Gavin Newsom, AFL-CIO
Proposition 2: YES - Raise limit on rainy day fund deposits
This constitutional amendment would allow the state to deposit up to 20% of its general fund tax revenue in the state’s reserves, up from the current ceiling of 10%. CA budget is heavily dependent on capital gains from the stock market. Prop 2 would allow the state to set aside more money in boom years to help cover lean years. Endorsed by Gov., CDP, Dem legislators
Proposition 3: YES - Make income taxes on higher earners permanent
The tax, first enacted in 2012, is set to expire in 2031. Under the measure, income taxes for top earners range from 10.3% (for individual income over $360,000) to 12.3% (for individual income over $721,000), with graduated rates in between. Eighty-nine percent of the money goes to K-12 public schools and 11% goes to community colleges, with any excess going to public healthcare. The tax typically raises $5 billion to $15 billion a year.
Endorsed by CA Teachers, PTA, CA Dem Party
Proposition 4: YES - Allow public financing of local political campaigns
Because of a law passed in 1988 currently only charter cities, like SF and LA (as opposed to general law cities) in California are legally permitted to enact public funding programs for local elections. Proposition would authorize California’s state and local governments to establish public campaign funds for candidates if they choose to.
FYI: the 6X match in LA for LA city residents contributing to LA city races (up to a limited donation amount) has truly made it possible for moderate income candidates to raise enough $ to reach out to voters and win elections.
Endorsed by Common Cause, League of Women Voters, CDP
Proposition 5: YES - Delay replacing recalled state officials
Under current law, in a recall election, voters are asked to first vote YES or NO on the recall and then to choose a replacement if the official is removed. This constitutional amendment would delay the election of a successor to separate election. The recalled officer would be allowed to run in that election. If the governor is recalled, the lieutenant governor would take over their duties until a new governor is elected. The rationale is to provide voters with a full slate of potential replacements if the official is recalled, as candidates who oppose a recall are usually unwilling to run before the recall vote is decided.
Endorsed by: Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Indivisible, CDP
Proposition 37: YES - Create low-cost mortgages for homebuyers
California’s Housing Finance Agency would be able (but not required) to borrow up to $25 billion to help would-be homebuyers purchase newly constructed houses and condos. These loans could provide up to 17% of a home’s purchase price, leaving buyers with a cash down payment of 3% with a typical mortgage. Homebuyers would repay the loan in monthly installments. Anyone earning up to twice the area’s median income would be eligible. Private lenders, not taxpayers, would be on the hook if homebuyers default.
Endorsed by CDP, Becerra, Carpenters and Realtors
Proposition 38: NO - Borrow $8.4 billion for immunology research
Proposition 38 would create an $8.4 billion bond largely to fund research into fighting cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, plus other diseases that can be treated through immunotherapies. Sounds good, right? Well, no. The measure is written to provide half of the money raised (over $4 billion) to one specific research institute, the CA Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, which was founded by a billionaire surgeon and philanthropist, Gary Michelson, who is spending millions to promote this measure. Opponents argue that funding one specific institute promoting one particular biomedical approach (immunotherapy) is bad policy which would, with interest, cost taxpayers $12 billion with uncertain benefits.
Endorsed by CDP and Immunologists. Opposed by League of Women Voters, former Director of the National Institute for Health Robert Kaplan and others in biomedical research fields.
Proposition 39: NO- Require identification for voting
This initiative would require voters to show government-issued identification at the polls and order election officials to verify that all registered voters are U.S. citizens. California currently requires residents to provide an identification card and Social Security number to register to vote, but NOT at polling places. No one’s registered unless they already passed that test of being a legal citizen! This is part of the MAGA agenda to promote the lie that there is massive fraud in elections – when there is ZERO evidence that any appreciable number of non-citizens vote. It would make is harder for people (particularly low-income people, who may not currently have acceptable ID accessible) to vote, and potentially disenfranchise thousands.
Opposed by CDP, ACLU, Common Cause, League of Women Voters.
Proposition 40: YES - One-time tax to billionaires to fund healthcare and education
Proposition 40 would require the estimated 200 Californians whose net worth exceeded $1 billion at the start of this year to pay a one-time 5% tax on their assets (like their houses, investment accounts and art collections). Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers, the group sponsoring the measure, projects that it would raise roughly $100 billion over five years. Supporters include the CA Dem Party, Bernie Sanders and most of Labor, and they say the money is desperately needed to backfill federal health care cuts. Opponents, including Gavin Newsom, Xavier Becerra, CA Teachers Association and Planned Parenthood argue that a one-time tax is bad policy, that the wealthy will evade by moving assets out of the state, and what is needed is comprehensive federal tax reform that requires the wealthy to pay their fair share.
So, yes, some will move their assets. Sure. Or move. But if they lived in CA in 2026, they will be taxed. And income inequality is the worst in CA, where the top 2 cities of the highest concentration of wealthy people IN THE WORLD are: Menlo Park and SF. We have about 200 Billionaires in CA. Insane. And it would be great if the legislators and Governors (and the feds) did a better job making policy that would demand these outrageously wealthy folks pay fair taxes, but instead of waiting til that happens, let’s ensure some better cash flow for the public good now. AND get better legislators in office who will actually work together to create (and implement) fair tax policy in the future.
Proposition 41: NO - Require audits of new tax programs
This proposition is a poison pill which would nullify Prop 40 if both pass but 41 receives more votes. It would make it harder to pass new special taxes by requiring the state auditor to review any special tax proposal before it goes to voters. Bad tax policy regardless of Proposition 40. Heavily funded by tech, agribusiness and corporate interests.
Proposition 42: NO - Ban new taxes on personal property
Like Prop 41, this is a business / tech funded measure to block the passage of Prop 40. Proposition 42 will make it much harder to create a wealth tax in California by prohibiting new taxes on the ownership of assets such as investment accounts, business interests and personal property — assets that are typically only taxed when they are sold or generate income. A blanket prohibition on taxing wealth unnecessarily ties the hands of the state, despite your feelings about Prop 40.
Proposition 43: NO - Raise vote threshold for special tax measures
This would make it harder to impose or increase local taxes by raising the threshold for local citizen-driven special tax ballot initiatives to pass from a simple majority to two-thirds. The two-thirds threshold already applies to taxes proposed by local governments but not by individuals. Sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Association: this is profoundly anti-democratic.
Proposition 44: NO - Require more clinic spending on patient care
Proposition 44 would require community clinics that serve low-income patients to spend 90% of their annual revenue on patient care. The allows the state to fine clinics that don’t spend the full 90%. The labor union SEIU-UHW pushed a similar bill last year, but it failed.
Opposed by Planned Parenthood and other health clinic systems as unnecessary, since low-income health clinics are already heavily regulated, and costly, potentially resulting in numerous clinic closures
Proposition 45: NO - Gut environmental reviews and CEQA
Proposition 45 would overhaul the state’s landmark environmental review law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). I mean, really? Really? Sponsored by the CA Chamber of Commerce, the measure aims to help developers advance projects they designate as “essential” more quickly and easily. It would impose a 365-day limit on environmental reviews for those projects, including infrastructure like roads and bridges, housing, schools, broadband and wildfire mitigation. It would also require courts to rule within 270 days on lawsuits related to the environmental review law. While CEQA may require reform, and has in fact been addressed by the state legislature, allowing the building industry to write their own regulation is a bad idea.
Opposed by the Sierra Club, Citizens for a Better Environment, CA Dem Party.
STATE JUDICIAL for the State Supreme Court and Court of Appeal
YES to returning them all to the bench. How about that!
And for those of you who still somehow want more information (you know who you are), there’s a wonderful tool developed by Field Team 6 that ANYONE around the country can use to see most everything/everyone on your ballot and see all their endorsements, get a summary of the issue…it’s good: click on BlueVoterGuide.org, and plug in your address. It’s REALLLY easy.
IT’S DONE. Go vote. I say best to drop your ballot in a drop box, if you can
alison morgan
(323)514-4050